Franklin TV hosts emergency prep for disabled

Thursday

FRANKLIN – Whether it be severe weather or a terrorism crisis, it’s always good to have a plan. But the checklist for disabled persons is a bit longer and requires more attention.

The Massachusetts Office on Disabilities is seeking to make their prep easier by providing info sessions and a backpack full of supplies. The latest session occurred Thursday at the Franklin Community TV studio, where the room was packed.

DaLonn Pearson, Emergency Preparation Coordinator for the Massachusetts Office on Disabilities, pointed out the silent call procedure at the beginning of his presentation.

“This is very important and very beneficial,” Pearson said. “Let’s say I’m a small child and I think someone has broken into my house. I go to call 911, and because there’s an intruder, I’m not going to verbally say one word.”

Once the line is connected to emergency dispatchers, he said, the caller should start pressing random numbers on their phone. This will prompt dispatchers to navigate the caller’s needs without them having to speak.

They’ll give over-the-phone instructions to press the dial-pad buttons to call the appropriate service needed. The calls, he said, are common for domestic violence situations, and could be beneficial to non-verbal people.

Moving to the backpack, he said many of the supplies could be vital for shelter-in-place situations. Though Franklin has two shelter locations, the high school and Remington Middle School, they’re rarely used by the public in emergency situations.

“The shelter process can be complicated or chaotic to some people,” Pearson said. “It’s good to keep everything that is important to you, right by your hip.”

The kit comes with a fanny-pack, which he encouraged people to fill with medications, medical information, and other vital documents and items. He also suggested renewing medication while there are still a few pills left, to keep a stash in the emergency kit just in case.

The backpacks are designed for two people, but there’s plenty of room inside the bag for additional supplies. Hand warmers, ponchos, emergency blankets, sanitary products, can openers, glow sticks, and many more supplies can be found in the backpacks.

Fire Chief Gary McCarraher said that for people with disabilities, emergency preparedness is crucial.

“It’s vitally important. In a time-compressed environment, you have to use what you’ve prepared,” he said. “And if you have no preparation, you’re in trouble. It’s no more complicated than that.”

The most notable item in the bag was an emergency crank-flashlight. The light uses a hand-crank to power and also features a radio, emergency alarm, and an adaptable charger for any device. The crank mechanism will allow enough power for the device to make that vital emergency call.

An honorable mention, also in the kit, is a small package that looks like a white breath mint. When it meets water, the small disk transforms into a face cloth.

Franklin resident Barbara Higgins said she can never be too prepared for a potential disaster.

“It was great to learn what to do in case of an emergency, because I tend to panic an awful lot,” she said. “We had a tornado warning a few years ago and I completely freaked out.”

Victoria Strand, a Franklin resident and mother of a 4-year-old with special needs, said the session gave her a sense of comfort, knowing there are many resources for her to utilize in case of an emergency.

“I like to stay connected with the different emergency services, because he’s had a couple emergencies already,” she said.

Scott Calzolaio can be reached at scalzolaio@wickedlocal.com or 508-734-0389. Follow him on Twitter @ScottCaz